MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With the August Primary Election around the corner, we are beginning to see more and more political signs on front lawns and side streets.

However, rules and regulations have been put in order for how large a sign can be and where they can and cannot be placed.

"They're not larger than eight square feet," said Meridian Township's Director of Community Planning and Development Mark Kieselbach. "That's the maximum that could be put up, and that's the typical that you'll see. The small yard signs can be put up, so anything larger than that's not allowed."

Kieselbach also said that the safety of the community is a huge concern and that political signs must not block the view for drivers.

Political signs need to be placed at least 15 feet away from roads or curbsides to ensure the safety for the vehicles passing by.

"The end of the right away is 15 feet back of the curb," Kieselbach said. "So, if you measure from the back of the curb onto your property, or where you want to put the sign, and it's 15 feet, the leading edge of the sign, you're going to probably be out of the road right away."

If you're on a road where there isn't a curb and gutter but keep your sign at about 15 feet away, then you should still be out of the road right away and onto your property.

Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus said, "It's the safety that's more than anything. That's why it can't be near the right away because of cars and because of the size. We don't want them super large for obvious reasons."

And most of the time, there aren't usually problems with candidates taking each others signs.

"It is illegal to mess around with other people's, with other candidates' signs," Dreyfus said.

Tampering with private property could result in a citation or other legal consequences.